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ON TIIANKSGIYINa DAY, 

BY 

EEY. CHAELES J. EHREHAET, A. M. 



LANCASTER, PA: 

E. H. THOMAS & SON, PRINTERS. 



COMESPONDENCE. 



MiDDLETOWN, Pa., November 28, 1862. 
Eev. C. J. EiiREHART — Dear Sir: — 

Many of us had the gratification of hearing your instructive and 
eloquent sermon on Thanksgiving Day. Highly approving the views and 
sentiments you then expressed, as worthy of the occasion, and thinking a 
wider dissemination of the trutlis uttered would be productive of great 
good in this and oth^r communities, we desire to see the address in a more 
permanent form. We desire, as well for your numerous auditory, as others 
who had not the opportunity of hearing the discourse, to see it published, 
and tht>refore earnestly request the favor of a copy for publication. 
We remain, with sincere regard. 

Yours truly, 
Jacob L. Nisley, Henry Croll, 

James Young, Robt. R. Wiestlinh, 

Luther H. Croll, Jacob Bener, 

Benjamin Kunkle, Samuel Kiefer, 

John HendriCkson, G. Weyl, 

Joseph H. Nislet, Geo. Smuller, 

J. S. Watson, William A.. Croll, 

Joseph Ross, Daniel Kenob«, ./'Ze-M /vV «? 

L. F. Steinmetz, Jacob Rife, ^'^O 

Jno. E. Carmany, Michael R. ALLEMAtr, 

B. J. Wiestling, John IIeppicu. 

John T. Rosa, 



MiDDLETOWN, Pa., December 1, 1862. 
Gentlemen : — 

Your note of the 28th ult., requesting a copy of my Thanksgiving 
Discourse fur publication, is before me. Sensible of its many imperfec- 
tions, I have hesitated to comply with your wishes. The discourse was 
prepared in great haste, and without any reference to greater publicity 
than its delivery on Thanksgiving Day. 

As, however, you seem to think that its publication would be productive 
of good, and as it is our duty to "do good unto all men as we have oppor- 
tunity." I waive my objections and submit the manuscript to your pleas- 
ure. If it will aid in a the formation of a correct public sentiment in re- 
ference to the value of the American Union and the freedom of an enslav- 
ed race, I shall rejoice with all my heart. 
Very Sincerely, 

Yours, &c., 

Chakles J. Ehrehart. 
To Messrs. Nisley, 
Young, 
Ckoll, 

KUNKLE, 

Hrndrickson, and others. 



"Israel hath not been forsaken, nor Judah of his God, of the Lord of Hosts • 
though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel. "—Jer. 51 : 5*. 

To-day we are keeping our National Sabbath. In accordance 
with the recommendation of the Governor of the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania, we have set apart this day, "as a day of solemn prayer 
and thanksgiving to the Almighty." As a christian people, we 
could not well do otherwise. One of the principles of our holy re- 
ligion is. Obedience to those who are in authority over us ; a prin- 
ciple which in these times sliould be distinctly enunciated. "Let ev- 
ery soul,'' says an inspired Apostle, "be subject unto the higher 
powers. " He assigns as a reason for this subjection, "For there is no 
power but of God ; the powers that be, are ordained of God." 

It is also highly appropriate that a portion of this national Sab- 
bath should be set apart for public worship ; that there should be a 
meeting together in the solemn assembly, and that all, with one heart 
and voice, should unite in prayer, praise and thanksgiving unto Him, 
to whom we owe our beirig, and in whose keeping we are as individ- 
uals and as a nation. We have accordingly come together in this 
public manner to acknowledge our indebtedness as a people to the 
preserving care of Him whose power is infinite, and unitedly to be- 
seech Him to grant us His favor and blessing. 

It is made my duty, according to the order observed by the pas- 
tors of this boroujih, this day to improve the occasion of our assem- 
bling by a public address. The time and the circumstances all re- 
quire that I should direct your thoughts to the consideration of 
those remarkable events that are crowding upon us, as a nation, and 
especially, to the consideration of those tokens of the Divine fa- 
vor which have characterized the past yean and which, call for 
special expressions of gratitude. 



Two years ago a similar duty devolved upon me. You will per- 
haps remember that I then discoursed upon the words, "Hitherto 
hath the Lord helped us. We showed you that the Lord had helped 
us 

In the infancy of ow Country. 

That He had helped us 

In our revolutionary struggle. 

That He had helped us 

In the formation of our National Government. 

And finally, that He bad helped us 
In every cr-isis of our past history. 

After dwelling upon the past of our Country, and referring to the 
threatening aspect of the present, we took the position that whilst 
"Hitherto the Lord had helped us," that henceforth oar only safety 
was in the help of the Lord ; that our safety was not in man ; our 
help was not in politicians ; not in our statesmen ; not in our Ju- 
rists ; not in our Generals, but in the Lord. 

We had then already arrived at a crisis in our Country's history. 
The dissolution of the American Union was then openly discussed, 
and entire States, with a unanimity that was alarming, were already 
deliberating as to the best method of accomplishing this most hazar- 
dous and unholy work. Two years ha^e passed since then. They 
have been years of darkness and gloom to our beloved Country— 
What we then feared was speedily brought to pass. State after State 
seceded, until eleven States of the American Union have taken 
down that glorious banner which triumphantly waved over them, 
and protected them for so many years, and have raised in its stead 
the bloody banner of revolution. The States in rebellion seized our 
forts ; our arsenals ; our navy yards ; our custom houses ; and by 
attacking Fort Surapter, inaugurated a bloody civil war. 

For eighteen months, civil war has now raged in our land. Thou- 
sands of lives have been sacrificed. Millions of treasure have been 
expended, and many homes have been desolated. And to-day the 
end is not yet. Armies numbering hundreds of thousands of sol- 
diers are arrayed against each other in deadly conflict. The fiercest 
struggle seems still not overpast. 

To-day there is weeping and lamentation, throughout our land. 
Parents are mourning the loss of sons— wives, the loss of husbands- 
sisters are weeping over the loss of brothers— and children, over the 



loss of fathers. Ours, consequently, will be a thanksgiving amid 
tears. As we contemplate the desolations and the woes which this 
unhappy conflict has created, we cannot withhold our sympathy — we 
would mingle our tears with the stricken ones of the land — we would 
weep with those th^it weep. 

In view of tliese things — in view of our present national condition, 
some perhaps are ready to imagine that a Thanksgiving under these 
circumstances is inappropriate; that it becomes us rather to clothe 
ourselves in sackcloth and ashes, and give ourselves to humiliation 
and fasting. But if such a thought has arisen in any mind, we say 
to you suppress it, yield not to the feeling which it vvould engender. 
If we have reason for humiliation, and fastinor, and prayer ; and no 
one can doubt but that such exercises would be appropriate in view 
of our many calamities and sins, still we have al-o at the same time 
abundant reason for thanksgiving and praise. Even amidst the chas- 
tisements that are upon us, we have great reason to render thanks- 
giving to God tor our many blessings, and for averting from us great- 
er evils. Our mercies have been far more numerous than oar ca- 
lamities. 

But especially should we render thanksgiving unto God this day, 
for the evidences thai He has given us, that He has noc entirely for- 
saken us on account of our iniquities. It should be a matter of grat- 
itude to us all, that the language sp )ken by Jeremiah the prophet, 
with reference to Israel and Judah, once God's favored people, is still 
applicable to us, "Israel hath not been forsaken, nor Judah of his 
God, of the L 'rd of hosts ; though their land was filled with siu 
against the Holy One of Israel." 

Two years ago we could say, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped ?is." 
To-day we can still say, "He has not forsaken ?<s " He has not 
abandoned us, though our sins have been many and aggravated. 
This is a matter of thanksgiving. It is alone of God's mercy that 
we are not entirely consumed. 

We design to show on this occasion, 

I. That God has not forsake.v us ; that the bless^ings wfiicq 
He has besfowed and lohich He still continues unto us, are an ev- 
idence of this fact. 

II. That He is correcting us ; that His chastisements are up- 
on us in mercy, and are designed to correct us — to cause us to 
forsake our sins, and to ivalk in the way of righteousness, 



8 

I. God has not forsaken us as a nation. 

As evidences of this fact, we refer to the many blessings He has 
vouchsafed unto us. Some of these are enumerated by the Chief 
Executive of this Coramoawealth in his proolamaticn setting apart 
thia day. His languajre is, "God has been graciously pleased to 
protect our Free Institutions and Oovernment — and to keep us 
from sickness and pestilence — and to cause the earth to bring 
fodh her increase, so that our gamers are choked with the har- 
Vtj.s-; — and to look so favorably on the toils of His children, that 
industry has thriven among us, and labor had its reward — and al- 
so that Se has delivered us from the hands of our enemies — and 
filled our officers and men in the field wifh a loyal end intrepid 
spir.'t, and given them victory — and that He has poured out upon 
us, albeit umvorthy, other great and manifold blessings." 

These are great and inestimable blessings ; their value is beyond 
expression, and these would not be enjoyed, were we as a people for- 
saken of God. 

But that onr gratitude may this day be quickened, that we may 
be made sensible of our mercies, let us look at these blessings more 
lainntely — 

The first blessing enumerated, and one that maybe cited as an ev- 
idence that God has not forsaken us, is 

The protection of our Free Institutions and Government. God 
h^s been graciously pleased to protect these unto us against all our 
euemies. A.s a nation we have been blessed with free institutions 
and a free government. In this respect, no people under tiie sua 
have been favored as we have been. Nowhere can man rejoice in 
suj-erior political and national advantages. 

These free institutions and this free government were secured un- 
to us, under God, by a noble ancestry. Our Fa he's freely shed 
their blood, and expended their treasure, that their children might 
be free, prosperous, and happy. "Give me liberty or give me 
death," was the sentiment of their hearts. They secured our na- 
tional independence. They established the American Union. — 
They gave us a government sucli as never had existed in the annals 
of history — a government that secured the highest freedom to all 
consistent with the welfare of the whole people. 

Ours was a noble heritaje. No ancestry ever left their children 
80 rich a legacy. And has the continuance of this heritage been 



questioned? Has the integrity of this government beeu threaten- 
ed ? Has the perpetuity of these free institutions been endangered ? 
Yes, theattein;jt has been made, ami is still being made, to dis- 
solve the American Union — that Union upon which depends the 
prosperity, the success, as well as the yerpetuiiy of the American 
Governraent and our free institutions. For let this Union once be 
destroyed — let; thi< government once be rent asunder — let there 
be a Northern and a S luthern Confederacy, and soon we will have 
an l^j i-itern aid a VV3>t)r,i G Mi^dln' iif — ve will have indepen- 
dent states wheeling off from the different confederacies — we will 
have cities and districts sepa''aiing them-^elves from individna! states. 
In all there wi I be parties binding themselve-* togeth' r ayjainst par- 
ties, so that anarehv and confusion will run riot in our land. Very 
soon we will be loUhou'. a governramt, and the strontjest man will 
be master of the field. Yes, all the hopes of the American Govern- 
ment — the welfare of the pre-^ent ami future generations not only of 
this nation but of the world — all depeu'l upon the restoration and 
perpetuity of the American Uruon. This has been the universal 
sentiment of the past. It has been truly leraarked that "there is 
no sutiject upon which the real patriots of this country — ho.se 
whose names all parlies resj)ect and venerate — those who have won 
immortal fame, and whose deeds illuminate the brightest page of oup 
national history — there is no subject upon which they have evinced 
a more marked uni'ormiiy of opinion, and a more honest feeling, than 
in regard to the preservation of the Union intact and unboken. 
Wa hington, Jefferson, Madison and Jackson displayed thoir higiiest 
genius in defending and eulogizing the American Union. Clay, 
Webster, Benton, Dougl- s, Cass and a host of other distinguished 
Senators made no speeches so effective, so impressive, as those which 
related to the preservation of the general government." The im- 
mortal Washington in his Farewell Address says : "The unity of 
government, wliich constitutes you one people, — is a main pillar in 
the edifice of your ri;al independence, — the support of your tranquil- 
ity at home — your peace abroad — of your safety; of your prosperi- 
ty; of that very liberty which you so highly prize." And again, 
"It is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the im- 
mense Value of your National Union to your collective and individ- 
ual happiness ; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and im- 
movable attachment to it ; accustoming yourselves to think and 



10 

speak of it as of the palladium of yonr political safety and pros- 
perity." Jefferson has said "We owe to all mankind the sacrifice 
of those morbid passions which would break our confederacy, the 
only anchor to which the hopes of the world are moored" Jackson 
declared, "The Union must and shall be preserved." This has been 
the universal sentiment of the wise and the good. 

Notwithstandini? these solemn utterances, but for the protection 
which God has afforded us, the attempt to dissolve the American 
Union and to destroy the American Government vT'ould have been 
successful. When we consider the influences that were invoked for 
the accomplishment of this work; when we consider the mighty 
power that was called forth to establish a line of separation between 
the States, and when we further take into account the danger that 
exited of a division of sentiment in the loyal States, we must con- 
fess, that the faibire up to this time to destroy our Union and to 
rob us of our free institutions is due to the protecting care of our 
God. 

The enemies of our government have not been successful in its 
destruction, and for this we have reason to be thankful. Our gov- 
ernment has been preserved unto us ; our institutions have been 
protected : and though a mighty effort is still making to overthrow 
it, we do not believe that it will be successful ; especially not, if 
our pec^ple be true to themselves and to their God. A wonderful 
nnaiiiraity prevails throughout the loyal States, that the American 
Union must be pr* served; that it dare not be sundered. From this 
sent nieiit only a few extremists dissent. A difference of opinion 
may i)revail as to the best method of restoring the States in rebel- 
lion, but all parlies, almost without exception, agree that it is a 
work that mu^t be accompli.-hed. 

The complete restoration of our government; the establishment 
of its authority over our entire laud, may still cost many lives; may 
still demand the expendituie of much treasure. Bat it ivlil be 
worth all it costs. 'J'he issues at stake, and the principles involved 
are so mighty, that we cannot permit a dissolution to take place. 

Supjiose, in order to stop the further effusion of blood, we lay 
down our arms; we yield to the demands of the rebellious States, 
and submit to the restoration of the Union upon such terms as they 
may dictate. And luJiat have we done ? In the first place we will 
have surrendered our Constitution ; that constitution which has been 



11 

the fonndation of all our greatness. And what will we have in its 
place ? In ics place we will have a constitution in which Slaverrj 
is the chief corner stone. On this subject, Mr. A. H. Ste|ihens of 
Georgia, Vice P resident of the Confederate States says, *'The new 
Con stitiition has put at rest for ever all the agitating questions re- 
lating to African Slavery as it exists am' ngst us, This was the im- 
mediate cause of the late rupture and present revolutinn. The pre- 
vailing ideas entertained by Jefferson and most of the leading States- 
men at the time of the formation of the old Constitution, were, that 
the enslavement of the African was in violation of the laws of na- 
ture — that it was wrong in principle, socially, morally and political- 
ly." Observe that Mr. Stephens admits that; the sentiments enter- 
tained by J'fferson and most of the hading Statesmen at the time 
oj" the formation of the old co nstitidion were adverse to the insti- 
tution ot slavery. Tliey regarded the enslavement of the African as 
0. violation of the laws of nature ; that it luas icrong in princi- 
ciple, socially, morally and politically. "Our new government" 
adds Mr. St^ephetis, "is founded upon exactly opposite ideas; its 
foundations are laid, its cornerstone rests upon the great truth, — 
that slavery, subordination to tbe superior race, is the natural and 
normal condition of the negro." 

Who would desire such a change as this ? Who would eive up 
the old Constitution, for one avowing as its basis the perpetration 
of so great a wrong as the perpetual boailage of millions of the hu- 
man family ? Certainly no one retaining the first instincts of an en- 
lightened humanity. But this is not all. Not only will we have 
surrendered our Canstitution, but; we will have siirren dered one of 
the dearest and first principles of oar g)veriim ent — namely, the 
democratic principle that the majority shall rule in accordance 
with the principles of th i C )'istita[,i()!i Wo will have decided that 
Freemen are incompetent to govern this nation and that ;ill author- 
ity must be giv en into the hands of the 200,000 Shivcdiolders, the 
aur.hors and abettors of this unh )ly rebe llion. Our vassalage would 
be a more shameful — a more despicable one than that rejected by 
our Fathers. No, we caniot sabmit to such rule, especially not, 
when wj remember the spirit of our ancestry. G) back to 76 — to 
the struggle which secured to this nation its independence — which 
purchased for us our free institutions. That struggle cost the coun- 
try many precious lives when our population was small, and much 



12 

of its material wealth when it was yet in an infant state. Did our 
Fathers pay t »o tiearly for their freed om h rid ours? Did they sac- 
ri6ce too mu h ? There were ihose in that eontest whi said, better 
snl)mit to English rule than expend so many lives and so tnnch trea- 
sure. Tliey weie called Tories an I are remernl) -red only to be des- 
pised. But what has been the judgment of posterity ? Its unani- 
mous verdict is, that they did not saciifice too much. And can we 
pay too dearly ? Can we sacrifice too much to perpetuate unto our 
children and unto the world the blessia^-s which our Fathers secur- 
ed for us at sucii a haeiifice ? Can we do too mcch to perpetuate 
the American Union ? too uiiich to defend the American Constitu- 
tion? too much to han 1 dovvu to ouf children the free institutions 
which we iidieriied from our fathers ? No 1 No I we repeat it, the 
perpetuat on of Iheae ble.-isings will be ivov h all that they cost. 

To preserve them, many have already .alien ; rainy more may fall; 
bat tliey fall in a righteoufj, a Imly cause. We mourn their loss. — 
We latnent the iniqniiy that has demanded so great a sacrifice. But 
we honor them. We honor that vvhtilc batid iliat has gone forth to 
protect and defend our governui' nt and her institutions. And to- 
day, we thank God that in the day of our calamity, he put it into 
the h arts of so in iny B-ave Ones, to reS:)oud at their Uouniry's call 
to protect and defend it in its peril. The present generation may 
not appreciate their sacrifices — may not fully comprehend the great- 
ness and majesty of the work to which our army has been called; 
but I feel assured hat coming generations will rise up and call them 
blessed. The future will give them a place beside the heroes of 
American Indepen 'enee. 

A second blessing enumerated in the Governor's Proclamation, 
calling for gratitude, and which we m ly al>o r fer to as an evidence 
that God has not forsaken us, is — 

Our preservation from sickness and from the xoasting pesti- 
lence. 

God has been graciously pleased to protect and defend us from 
those calamities, which sometimes sweep over guilty lands. Indi- 
vidual cases of suffering there have been; an occasional grave has 
been opened, to receive the earthly remains of loved ones, called 
from the scenes of earth ; but as a peopU; we have been l)lessed with 
health of body and vigor of mind. Aside from the sorrows almost 
inseperable from a state of war, we have enjoyed, in an unusual 



13 

depree, the smiles of a beniirnniit Providence. Especially has this 
commiuiiry been sjreatly f<ivore'l. We hive he'-n shekereil beneath 
the vviiifTs of divine Love. N.» afflnMive dispetisaiiun — no ovi-r- 
whelinin<5 sorrov has overtakt^n us. Bit few families coin|)aratively 
have |uit on the ha'iiliments of m')urnitij^ We have dwelt in peace 
and safety. All this shouM ;iw;iken sen iments of y;ratitude in our 
hearts unto llmi wh • has l)een so niercifiM unto us. 

A third blessing enuiueraied, afifjrding additional evidence of 
God's favor, is — 

The abundance that abound;; in our land of the necessaries of 
life. 

God "has been gracioiis'y pleased to cause the earth to brintr forth 
herincr-ase, so that our li^irners are choked with the harvest." Tiie 
toils of the husbanibnan hiVe lieen rewarded with a rich and an abun- 
dant crop. He sowed n li ) le. G ■! gave the early and latter raia 
— He gve the sunshine a d the sturm —He caused the earth to (»e 
fruitful, and now abundance cr<)Wiis the year. For this we cannot 
he too thank tul. How distressing, — how cal miiious would l)e O'lr 
condition, if to a state of war won d have been ailded, want — a scar- 
city of the necessaries of life. Tuen indeed, we woidd have had sor- 
row upon sorrow. But favored as we have been with plentiful harv- 
ests our own milli jus are su iplirj I wir/ir,!inr daily l)read, a-id we 
have sotneto spare, to bestow upon the famishing of other lands. 

Another ldessin<r specified in the Governor's proclamation, evince 
nig God's continued favor, is — 

The reward which has attended industrious hibor. 
Goi "h IS lieen graciously pleased to look so favoralily on the toil 
of his children, that indiisiry his thriven auiong us and iahor had its 
reward. Notwithstanding the unsettled state of our national affairs, 
the various departments of industry have geneially flouri lied and 
lahor has eotntnanded a reniuncraiive compensation. All who have 
desired to hibor, who havede ired to be useful in one of the many nvo- 
cations of life, have found something to do, and in doin-; of it, have 
had their reward. For all this we should be thankful. It is not 
always so. A state of war, generally produces a state of prostration 
in business —a prostration that IF-cts every avenue of life. Ours 
therefore is a favored c judition, a id is d le alone to the mercy of aii 
overruling Providence. 



14 

A fifth blessing mentioned, giving additional proof of God's con- 
tinued raercy, is — 

Our deliverance froin the devastations of war as a state. 

God has been graciously pleased "to deliver us from the hands 
of our enemies." The Borders of our State were at onetime threat- 
ened with an immense armed invasion. It was desired and attempt- 
ed by our enemies to make Pennsylvania the theatre of devastating 
war. This was the cherished scheme of the leaders of the rebellion. 

But God prevented this, by giving success to our arras and filling 
the hearts of our people with a pairiotic spirit, so that many thou- 
sands of Pennsylvania's Sons, at a moment's notice, rushed to her 
defence. But for this mighty uprising of our people, and the valor 
of our soldiers on the battle field, oar enemies would have rushed in 
upon us. They would have desolated our valleys, and laid waste 
our homes. For this deliverance, and fur this loyal and patriotic 
spirit we have great reason to be thankful. 

Another evidence of God's favor, calling for gratitude is — 

The loyalty and valor which pervades our army and navy gen- 
erally, and the vv lories which have been given to them. 

This loyalty we confess with sorrow has not been universal, and 
to the want of it on the part of some who professed to serve us, are 
due some of the most disastrous events of the war. But generally^ 
our Army and Navy have been loyal and brave. Generaly our 
men have been true to the banner that waveil over them, and on 
many occasions they have retired from the conHici victorious. For 
this let us be thankful ; for it is GoJ that giveth victory. 

Other evidences there are of the fact that God has not forsaken 
UPt We still enjoy the blessings of domestic peace and concord — 
of education and of religious freedom. Other blessings of a civil, 
social and religious nature have been bestowed upon us, but we can- 
not now dwell upon them. No, God has not forsaken us ; and 
for this assurance — for the many evidences of his favor and especi- 
ally for the blessinzs oNiis bountiful Providence, we ba^e abundant 
reason this day to render unto Him thanksgiving ani praise. 

II. But whilst we have these assurances — these conclusive evi- 
dences thai we are not forsaken of our God. we must not lose sight 
of another fact equally manifest ; n mely, that He is chastising us as 
a peojyle. 



15 ♦ 

In the one hand He brinj^s us blessings to keep ns from despair ; 
in the other hand He holds the rod of correction by which He would 
cau^e our return to righteousness. He has not forsaken us, though 
our land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel ; but He 
is chastening us to cause us to give up our sins. 

Tlie sentiment is sometimes expressed that God has nothing to 
do with this war that is upon us ; that it is entirely the work of 
man. In one sense it may be said to be the work of man. It is the 
result of his wicked devices, of his unrighteousness. But in another 
sense it is not the work of man, but a judgment of God visited upon 
us on account of our many and great iniquities. Neither the men 
of the North nor of the Sjuth desired a civil war. They hoped that 
such a calamity might be averted. Many things were done to pre- 
vent it. N^'vertheless the war came upon us. "Prom whence come 
wars and fightings among you ? Come they not hence, even uf 
your lusts that war in your members." (James, i : 1.) We have 
here the agency of man. "ShiU there be evil in a city, and the 
Lord hath not done it," (Amos 3 : 0.) "I form the light and cre- 
ate darkness : I make peace and create evil. I, the Lord do all 
these things," (Isai. 45 : Y.) Here we have the sovereignty of God. 
He controls all things. In his government th ;re is no place for tc- 
cident or chance. His dea'ings towards us have a significance. — 
They refer us to our sins. All this distress and anguish — this sor- 
row and woe, wiiich pervade our land, are upon us, because our 
"land is filled with sin against the Holy one uf Israel" — 

Look at the i>ractical idolatry that has jyr^-vailed in our land, — 

As a nation we have been worshi()piiig mammon instead of God. 
Men hasted to become rich. To this they devoted all their energies 
God in many instances blessed them in their labors. He required' 
them in return to be liberal as he had prospered them. But they 
withheld from the Lord that which vvas meet. Instead of blessing 
the poor with their riches — instead of giving of tho-ir substance to 
aid in sending the gospel abroad ; to evangelize the world, meu 
hoarded it up. Now God is chastising them for this sin. He is 
scattering the wealth of the nation. Tne money withheld from the 
Lord, must now bs devoted to sustaining our army aud our navy. 

Behold the Sabbath desecration that abounds everywhere in our 
country. 



^ 16 

It has become a national sin. God's holy day is disregarded by 
mnltitudes. Its divine authority seems to be ij?nored in the minds 
of many. Some, high in authority, are guilty of its desecration. — 
This is especially true ia these times of calamity. The command, 
"Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy," makes no impression 
upon tlieir hearts. This desecration of the Sabbuth in high places 
is however but the reflection «if the sent! uent, prevailing among our 
people in more retired positions. Witness the Sabbath visiting ; 
the Sabbaih working ; the Sabbath pleasure seeking. 

View the profanity that desecrates our fair so I, — 

This is a sin that prevails to an alarming extent. We have be- 
come aim St a nation of swearers. It is not confined to age or sex 
— to the north or to the south. The very children upon your streets 
have learned to bl ispheme the God who made them. It is a sin 
that cries to heaven for vengeance "The Lord will not hold him 
guiltless, tliat taketh his iiame in vain." He will punish the nation 
as well as ! he individual. 

Witness th intemperance that is sweeping over our land. 

It is the dreadful scourge of our country ; filling it with crime 
and poverty and suffering and woe. It has on several occasions 
more than anything else, been the cause of the disa'stjr and the de- 
feat of our arms. It is hurrying thousands to a drunkard's grave 
and to a drunkard's doom. 

ISee the Licentiousness that abounds, especially in towns and 

citi s. 

Men are gi>en over to every abomination. They are guilty of 
crimes ot every hue. 

Then, notice (he unbelief tha^. prevails— the disregard of the 
claims of the gospel, — 

The gospel is pr ached — men are urged with all earnestness and 
diligenre to embrace it. But all to no purpose. They yield not 
to its claims. 

Then beh U too the lethargy of the church— her indifference 
—her lu/cewa mness. The unfaithfulness in many instances of 
both pastors and people. 

Niiw is a time in which the Church is es lecially called upon to 
be active, and earnest and self-denying. Yet, what is the truth? 
She is m jre iu liffjreat thaa ever. T.ie sanctuary is more neglected 



17 

— the meetings for prayer are less frequented, and less is done for 
the cause of God than ever. 

Truly our land is filled with sin, and the wonder is, that God has 
not forsaken us. It is not amazing that he is punishing us. 

But there is another sin of which we as a nation are guilty, the 
mention of which I have reserved to the lust, inasmuch as it is more 
intimately connected, more clo-sely identified with the war that is 
now desolating our country than any other— I refer to 

Ouf criminal neglect of the colored race ; their oppression in 
a portion of our country ; their ditrensed condifvm everywhere. 

What I shall say on this subject may not harmonize with the 
views of all who hear me. I do not expect that all in this assembly 
will agree with ray concl'isions. Bat you will allow me the privi- 
lege of giving utterance to my sentiments upon this subject — a 
subject which is forced upon as by the events transpiring around us. 
If your c ireful exiQiaiti)n of the su'iject leads you to embrace 
different sentiment.-' I will have no complaint to make. I feel that 
I would be recreant to my duty and to the occasion, did I omit the 
utterance of sentiments which I believe to be in accordance with 
truth and righteousness. 

Fourteen months ago, on our National fast-day, I expressed my- 
self on this subject as follows : "I am not one of those who regard 
slavery as the only sin of our nation ; but I have always looked up- 
on it as a great evil, moral, social and political. The institution 
cannot be justified as it exists in our country. The principles of 
the gospel are p ainly at variance with it. This sin more than any 
other is the came of our present distressed condition as a nation. 

When our ancestry came to form this government they found the 
institu ion of slavery iu existence. It was looked upon as an evil. 
How to get rid of it was the per,'lexing question. A number of the 
States at once adopt -d measures for the gradual emancipation of the 
slaves. First am )n^st these was Pennsylvania. The general sen- 
timent of all go. id people up to the year 1820 was in hirm )ny -vith 
the action uf the States, proclaiming freedom to the enslaved. They 
looked forward to a time when liberty should be proclaimed to all 
throughout the la id. Soon after this period, slave labor became 
more profitable. The ideas of politicians began to change. Eman- 
cipation was no longer to be the desiiny of the colored race; but 
the chains of slavery must be bound the tighter. Gradaluly the 



18 

minds of the people underwreut a change ; they began to look upon 
the institution as divine ; instead uf the slave to be prepared for 
freedom, his freedain must be abridged. He must be degraded so 
low as to banish the ide-i of freedom from his mind. This change 
of sentiment in the South, produced a corresponding change of sen- 
timent in the North. The christian sentiment of the Xorth was, 
Slavery is a great evil ; bat it is upon us ; H )W shall we get rid of 
it 1 Tlie christians ot the North, having no direct cuntrcjl of the 
matter, earnestly exhorted their brethren of the S()uth to lab jr for 
the emancipation of the slave. At first these exhortations were 
kindly received. But gradually these sentiments became obnoxious. 
The churches of the South said to the churches of the North, slav- 
ery is a forbidden sul)ject — you must be silent in reference to it. 
When 'he Nor h refused, they severed their connection. Thus the 
churches w<-re divided into North and South. 

The contest was carrie I inro our legislative halls — for fifteen years 
oar National Congress has been little else than an arena for the dis- 
cussion of this exciting suliject. The North to avert threatened 
evil was ever ready to compromise; yielded until the demand became 
too uiireasonabie. The moment the North stood firm, the South 
withdrew with the sole a'm to rivet tlie chains of slavery still faster 
upon the poor negro. Now God has taken the matter in hand. I 
believe there will be a change. What will be done with the slave I 
do not know. Providence will no doubt work out the problem. 
Emancipation, which the South wished to avert, will be hastened on. 
But we of the Norih are especially guilty of our treatment of the 
colored race in our midst." Thus far fourteen months ago. You 
will perceive that we were then still in doubt as to the futnre of 
American slavery. We believed that in due time the Lord would 
solve the problem. That our duty was to wait and see the salvation 
of God. 

We, in common with the great mass of the loyal people in the 
Free States, did not desire to interfere with slavery in the States. 
The Constitution of the United States guarranteed its control to 
them exclusively within their State limits. Non-interference in the 
Stites was the feeling of all in the Free States North, excepting 
perhaps a sina 1 party of nitra-abolitionists. In the last Presidential 
Campaign, it was one of the avowed principles of the four candidates 
for the Presidency. lu the platform of the party most antagonistic 



19 

to the South, the following distinct announcement is made, "That 
the maintenance inviohite of the rights of the States, and especially 
of the right of each State to order and control its own domestic in- 
stitutions according to its own judgment exclusively, is essential to 
hat bal ance of power on which the per'^ection and endurance of our 
political fabric depends— and that the Constitution, the Union, and 
the rights of the States must and shall be preserved." This too was 
he position of the President elect, reiterated again and again; and 
to this idea he conformed all his actions. Generals and Cabinet of- 
ficers who were unwilling to conform to this standard were relieved 
of their positions, ft was believed that the rebellious States could 
be restored without interfering with the question of slavery. This 
I believe was the honest purpose of our Chief Executive. 

But with such views — with such sentiments generally prevailino-, 
when, I ask, and hoio was slavery ever to be removed from our coun- 
try ? How was the freedom of the colored race ever to be brought 
about? Such a thing was utterly impossible. The Free States 
could not and wished not to interfere. The South regarded slavery 
a divine institution. In this condition of things, slavery must be a 
perpetual institmion, and the four millions of the colored race and 
their descendents must be in bondage forever. This vvas according 
to the counselling of man, but God determined o'herwise. 

The contiuuence of the war wrought changes in the sentiments of 
the loyal people. As the war was protracted, and the dimensions of 
the rebellion increased, it was determined after various defeats and but 
little success, to make use of those slaves in diggino- trenches and 
building fortifications, that came within our lines — and not to return 
them to their rebel m asters. This was progress, but still we were un- 
willing to let the bondmen go free. Hid our Army succeeded in cap- 
turing Richmond last Summer— had we then succeeded in crushing' 
the rebellion, slavery would still have existed and existed with no 
prospect of removal. 

The question has often been asked, Why did not Gen. McClellan 
take Richmond? The country was confident. We all thought that 
the Confederate Capitol was ours. But akis ! Richmond is still the 
Capitol of the States in rebellion. It is generally said in reply, that 
our Army had not men enough. I believe the great reason was, be- 
cause the Lord was not then on cur si(,le. He ha(V determined that 
♦-he slave shtfiild go free, but we Wtn-fe slill unprepared t'o acquiesire in 



20 

the Divine decree. He would humble us more in order to make us 
willing. Hence defeat attended our arms before Richmond ; and re- 
treat and defeat was the order until the Union forces gained the Wash- 
ington fortifications, and the Rebel Army crossed the Potomac, and 
threatened to invade our own State. You know the suspense, the anx- 
iety and the alarm that was felt throughout our borders. The people 
were willing to do almost anything, and to suffer almost anything, if 
only the rebellion could be crusihed. Thousands became convinced 
that in order to save the country, slavery must be sacrificed. 

Though threatening our borders, the Lord would not permit the 
minions of slavery to devastate a Free State. The battles of South 
Mountain and Antietam were fought. The enemy fled into Virginia, 
but rested upon the banks of the Potomac. So powerful had the re- 
bellion now become, so vast its forces, that the President of the Unit- 
ed States, in the discharge of his high trust, must protect the Govern- 
ment by the employment of every means at his command, and by the 
exercise of his highest authority. He at last determines to attack the 
rebellion at its most vulnerable point. He issues a proclamation, de- 
clarins: freedom to all the slaves in the States still in rebellion, after 
the first of January, 1863. This is the point to which I believe the 
Lord was determined to bring us. Thus I read his dealings towards 
us as a nation. The future will show whether this be a correct inter- 
pretation of his providence. If slavery is to be perpetuated in this 
country, the Southern States will submit before the first of next Jan- 
uary, or conquer their independence. If slavery is not to be contin- 
ued, the Lord will harden their hearts so as not to submit and then 
give success to the Union cause. What is remarkable in the history 
of this rebellion is, that since the Emancipation Proclamation of the 
President, the Rebel forces have been retreating from every quarter, 
and general success has attended every raivemant of the Union forces. 
But the question arises. Does not the Emancipation Proclamation inter- 
fere with State rights ? Dies not the Constitntion guarrantee the 
right to hold slaves to each State, so long as it shall elect to have it. 
I take it that it does not violate the Constitution. The States in re- 
bellion have discarded the Constitution, and hence have forfeited all 
their rights; and it is now for the general government to say upon 
what Conditions they shall again enjoy their constitutional rights. Just 
as tho highwayniaq, having boon convicitod of waylaying and pluQ^ 



21 

and it remains for the Judge to say upon what terms he shall again 
enjoy them. Usually these are forfeited until he has served a term 
in the State Prison. 

But will not the proclamation cause an insurrection among the slaves, 
and be the occasion of indiscriminate slaughter of all the women and 
children ? It will not, as the rebels must and will guard against it, by 
keeping a sufficient force at home to prevent it. This necessary step 
on their part will to that extent weaken their army and make their 
restoration the easier. 

But if the slaves are all set free, will they not overrun the North 
and come in competition with white labor ? By no means. Univer- 
sal emancipation is the very thing to keep them South. They will 
not then desire to leave the ''sunny clime." On the contrary, our col- 
ored people will go South, as the climate is more congenial. 

But will the colored people be able to maintain themselves ? Will 
they have intelligence enough ? It does not require much intelligence 
to pick cotton; to gather rice ; or to plant tobacco; and in a very short 
time they can be educated. 

Looking at this subject in an unbiassed, an unprejudiced light, aside 
from all party questions and party considerations, I can come to no 
other conclusion than that Providence designs that the colored race is 
to be free. I believe that the Lord has taken the question of human 
slavery out of the hands of politicians and agitators, and will dispose 
of it Himself He seems to be making the restoration of the Ameri- 
can Union and the preservation of the American Government contin- 
gent upon the removal of the sin of slavery. If this be so, it is vain 
to fight against God. The sooner we will submit to His decisions the 
speedier will be our deliverance. 

If this war, comnaeuced by the South to perpetuate slavery, and ear- 
riedon by the North forthe restoration of the Union and the Govern- 
mentjit at the same time result in the freedom of four millions of immor- 
tal beings, and their posterity forever — if it inaugurate a movement 
that will tend to elevate the colored race to a higher civilization, 
then we will be able in the future to understand why the Lord sent 
this war upon us. And it may be that this very act, which gives frcc« 
dom to an enslaved race, is the very act which delivers the South from 
woes more terrible than evea those inflicted by this civil war. Who 
knows, but that thoir stubborn porslstondQ iq yivottiug; tbo Ci}\a,\m of 



22 

insurrection, which would have caused the indiscriminate slaughter of 
all the white population, men, women and children. It is not an im- 
probable thing. The like has occurred in the history of the world. 
As it is in individuals, so it may be in nations, "Whom the Lord lov- 
eth He chasteneth." 

If this be true, if passing through this baptism of blood, we come 
out purified, then in the future we will see, that even for these chas- 
tisements we have reason to render thanksgiving unto God. As now 
we thank God for the Revolution of Seventy- Six, so in the future our 
children may thank God for the present struggle through which we 
are passing ; especially will this be the case if it leads us to sincere re- 
pentance and to true righteousness of life. 

Let us to-day take a hopeful view of things. Lotus not be despond- 
ing. Let us put our trust in God, who has not yet entirekly forsaken 
us. Nothing is in the way of our restoration and onward progress 
save our sins. 

Let us repent of these ; let us humble ourselves before the mighty 
hand of God ! let us submit to his teachings as a nation and He will 
once more grant us his favor. 

Let us " Beseech God," as we are enjoined to do, '' to help and 
govern us in His steadfast fear and love, and to put into our minds 
good desires, so that by his continual help we may have a right judg' 
ment in all things." Let us " especially pray Him to give to Christian 
churches grace to hate the thing which is evil, and to utter the teachings 
of truth and righteousness, declaring openly the whole counsel of God." 
Let us " most heartily entreat Him to bestow upon our Civil Rulers, 
wisdom and earnestness in council ; and upon our military leaders, 
zeal and vigor in action ; that the fires of Rjbellion maybe quenched; 
that we, being armed with his defence, may be preserved from all 
perils; and that hereafter our people living in peace and quietness, 
may from generation to generation, reap the abundant fruits of His 
mercy, and with joy and thankfulness praise and magnify His holy 
name." 

And to-day, us wc render thanksgiving to God — as we pray for 
om solves and our country, let us not forget those in the camp and in 
th3 fi(dd, devoted to the raaintcnjinco of our Government, our Cons - 
tution and our Lnw/!. Tluiy too need our prayers and our sympathy 
Th"y arc entitled to our gratitude. 

Let ns not for^.ot tliob'e in our liospitalsi; the sick and wounded 



28 

soldiers of our army and our navy — the convalescent, the lant?-iish- 
injr, the dying. They too, need our prayers and our sympathy. 
They are entitled to our aid. 

Let us not forget the noble dead — the thousands who during the 
past year have sacrificed their lives upon the altar of our country; 
who have said, give me ray country, my whole country, or give me 
death. They need not our prayers, they ask not for our sympathy, 
they look nut for human support. But their names should be em- 
balmed in the recollections of the liviog. We should erect a mon- 
ument of praise to their memories. Sorrowing over their untimely 
end, we should devote ourselves anew to the welfare of that country 
for which they laid down their lives. 

Lee us also remember those hjin^s that have been sadlened and 
desolated by the ravages of ^ar, the vvirlo.v, the orphan, the afflict- 
ed household. Let them h ive the beueSt of our prayers and sym- 
pathies. Let us end savor to alleviate the deep sorrow that has come 
upon them, and where necessary, let us give them that material as- 
sistance which will place them beyond the reach of want. 

Let us not forget on this thanksgiving day the poor, the needy, 
the suffering everywh'^re. " If thou draw out thy soul to the hun- 
gry, and satisfy the afflicted soul ; then shalt thy light rise in obscu- 
rity and thy darkness be as the noonday." 

We cannot refrain, before concluding, from alluding to the fact 
that there will be iu our community many families who will keep 
this thanksgiving with sad emotions. As they gather around the 
family board, they will be re uinded of absent ones. To such in this 
assembly I would speak a word of cheer. Is there not comfort in 
the thought that your f lends, your loved ones have followed their 
convictions of duty — that they are in the army not by constraint, 
bat by choice. They saw their country's peril. They were moved 
by its dangers. They felt that their services were needed on the 
tented field. They girded on their armor. Cheerfully they went 
forth to batttle Some of them have already fallen ; others may yet 
fall ; but they fa'l in a righteous cause, and ultimate triumph must 
be theirs Than'c God that you have had friends ready and willing 
to con.'ecrate themselves to the glorious work of preserving: the 
American Union and the American Government. And may Heav- 
en's richest bl-'ssiog rest upon you — may you ever be cheered by 
the ','onsciousness, that they are in the keeping of Ilim whose care 
is over all, and who can sustain them as well on the tented field as 
at the home-fireside. 



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